Centrifugal concentrator



W. H. PECK.

CENTRLFUGAL CONCENTRATOR.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 2s, 1920.

1,395,517. PatentedN0v.1,1921.

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W. H PECK.

CENTRIFUGAL CONVCENTRATOR.

APPLlcATloN FILED Nov. 23. 1920.

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Patented Nov. 1, 1921.

YUNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcr-z.

WILBUR n. mick, or Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

cENTaIFuGAL coNcEN'rRA'roR.

Application med November 23, 1920.

To all whom t may concern:

'BeV it known that I, `VVILBUR H. PEOR, a citizen of the United States,residing at Los Angeles, inthe county ofsLos Angeles and Sta-te ofCalifornia, have invented lcertain newA and useful Improvements inCentrifugal Concentrators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in concentrating machines in whichcentrifugal and coordinating liquid separating forces are employed toeffect-separation and beddingy of concentrates through use of a rapidlyrotatable concentrating vessel or member, and a relativelydifferentially rotatable core member, as hereinafter explained, and themain objects of my invention are not only directed to more economicaland stable structure but to higher and more efficient results inconcentration.

I attain these objects by the mechanism and means which are hereinexplained and A which I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings,of which Figure 1 is partly a side elevation and partly ai verticalcentral'longitudinal section of my improved concentrating machine.

Fig. 2 is partly a central longitudinal vertical section and partly aside elevation of my concentrator, although not showing the outerjournal bearing or feed member, and with the concentrating vessel, andinterposed discharge ring, detached relatively and from the supportinghead, 'the twoformer being moved longitudinally from their places.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of Fig. l on line 3 3 of Fig. 1,looking in the direction of the arrows. f p

Fig. 4 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the coremembershown removed from its supporting shaft,'having been withdrawnvlongitudinally therefrom.

Fig. 5 is a side'elevation of the end of the core supporting shaft,which engages the core, also showing the adjacent part of the shaft.

Fig. 6 is partly a longitudinal central section and relatively assembleddetail of va portion of the core supporting shaft, part of the hollowvessel supporting shaftand some other parts.

Fig. 7 is partly a section and partly an elevation ofa portion of thecore shaft draw `mechanism and a portion of such shaft, en-

larged.

Specification of Letters Patent.

partly an elevation of a broken' Patented Nov. 1, 1921'. serial No.426,047.

In making my improved centrifugal concentratOr, I provide a rotatableconcentrating vessel lwhich is shown in the drawings in a horizontalposition. This vessel as a concrete whole embodies a circumferentialwall or tube portion, two end -or head portions and la lchambered.discharge ring portion, the latter interposed between the larger headand Vtube portions, as hereinafter explained.

The tube portion 2, is preferably somewhat conical shaped, asillustrated, and is provided with a flange 3, at its-large end, throughwhich it is securely and concentricallybut removably fastened toits'larger head 4 by means of bolts 5,- passing through the interposedchambered ring 6, as shown in Fig. 1. The individuality of these severalparts is best-illustrated in Fig. 2 vof the drawings, where they areshown moved apart. The ring 6, also serves as means through whichmaterial is discharged from the vessel and I will therefore vcall it adischarge ring. Y

The head 4, isprovided with a central hub 7, which is rigidly mounted onthe extended endA of a hollow shaft 8, which shaft is rotatablyjournaled in boxes 9`and 10, and ma be rotated by means of-a belt pulley11, from any suitable prime mover, so when the shaft 8 is revolved, thehead is also revolved, carrying with it in rotation the concentratingvessel. The journal boxes 9 and 10 are carried on the upper ends ofstands 12 and 13, which are mounted on the base plate 14'of thevconcent-rator.

The smallerend of the vessel is provided with an end or head 15, whichmay be secured to the vesselby screws 16, as illustrated in thedrawings, and near the central portion of this head there is provided anoutwardly extended hollow trunnion 17, having an opening 18, at itscentral part through which feed of material for separation and water maybe introduced into the vessel.

This trunnion 17 serves as a journal bearing` for the outer end of thevessel and is mounted in a journaled box 19, supported on a stand 20,which is secured at its base to the bed plate ofthe concentrator.

There is provided a circumferential row in the discharge ring 6, of thevessel, of short nipples or pipes 2l, having small discharge holes oropenings 22, through which material and water fed into the vessel duringoperation, may be discharged.

Around the vessel, encircling the discharge ring is a hollow hoodv orlaunder, 23, with a suitable annular crack or Yopening 24, on its innercircumference, positioned in radial alinement with the discharge holes22, from the vessel, so that water andmaterial discharged from thevessel through these holes will be thrown through the opening 24, intolthe launder, asv indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1 and be carried downto the lower part of the launder and passed out of its extend- 'ed part25, and also indicated by the arrows at their point.

A The launder is separable at the lines 26, Fig. 3, the partsbeingprovidedv with ears 127, which arefastened together by bolts 28,

thereby holding the two parts of the launder as a single unit.4 Thelaunder is held to` place onthe base plate of the concentrator byamaintainin'g part 29.

^ To operate inside of the vessel for purin outside elevation. In Fig.4, the core is also shown in section.

The circumferential surface of this core` member is preferablysubstantially the same shape as the internal bore of the vessel, butsomewhat smaller in diameter than such bore,l and is sufficientlyvshorter than the' internal length of the vessel, to enable it to betraveled longitudinally in the vessel, to the extent desired forpurposes hereinafter explained;

" The core is smooth on its circumferential surface and is of diameterto leavea vcomparativelysmall space 30, between its ciri cumferentialexterior and thev surface 32,

fof the interior .wall of the vessel, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3,the space 30 constituting 'the separating channel and the` surface 32,-forming the separating surface, on which' the separated concentratesbecome bedded.- f e l A,The clore member has its ends somewhatkdepressed or hollowed out, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, and its ends'areprovided with metal plates 33 and 34, respectively, 'which serve toprotect the ends of the core from.

serious wear. v

n 'The core isV also provided with a sleeve portion 35, locatedlongitudinally and-centrally therein', and the core is securelybutremovably mounted within the vessel on the extended end part of acentral shaft 36, whichV end part passes through the sleeve 35, while'the central portion of the shaft passes through and is rotatablyjournaled in the hollow of the vessel supporting shaft 8. The outer endof the shaft 36, is journaled in a box 37 as illustrated. It is providedwith a pulley- 38, by means of which the shaft with the corel may berotated at the rate of speed desired.

The end portion of the shaft 36, which extends 7into the vessel, asabove stated, passes through the longitudinally positioned fsleeve 35,in the central part of the core, so

that the shaft securely and rigidly supports and carries the core, whileYthis end of the shaft preferably terminates within the vessel.

'The nut 39, serves toassist in rigidly holding the vcore on this end ofits shaft, although the core may be longitudinally withdrawn and removedvfrom the shaft, by removing the nut, when the wall or shell portion 2,of the vessel is removed, as lshown in some of the drawings, vwhileatthe same time maintaining journaled placementv of its shaft 36.

It will be see-n that by this arrangement, as

the shaft 38 isl revolved the core is also revolved, 'such motion beingindependent of the rotation of the concentrating vessel.

vA s means for. supplying material for sep-V,

aration, mixed with water into the vessel, whichVV mixture I'ivill termas a pulp, I provide a suitable'feed pipe 39', having a valve 40, andwith one part of thepipe 41, extendingthrough the'central opening 18,

in the journal trunnion of the small end ofv the vessel, vas illustratedin Fig. 1. The pipe 39', is connected to an agitating tank, not shown,or to other source of supply of pulp to befedto the vessel when desired,and to this pipe is attached a branch pipe 42, having a valve 43, whichlatter pipe is connected with any suitable source of water supply forpurposes hereinafter explained. These pipes and their valves aresupported by a stand 44, mounted on the bed plate of the machine to holdthem rigidly to place. L ,e Y

As is illustrated and lalcove stated, the circumferential walls of thevessel are conical in shape and the circumferential surface of the coremember substantially conforms to 'such shape, furthermore the core issomewhat shorter than the internal length of the vessel, andis not onlysmaller in diameter than the internal bore of the vessel,l but islongitudinally movable therein through movement 'of its supporting shaft36. e

The diameter of the core is such that when it is moved to its fullestextent to position toward the'smaller end of the vessel, as shown' inFig. 1, the annular space 30, being the separating channel, between itscircumference andthe wall of the vessel, will be of desiredcomparatively small size or depth, and as the Vconcentrating part of thecycles'of operation of the concentrator rotatably en proceed, themovement of the core toward the larger end of the vessel Will increasethe depth of such channel to facilitate bedding of concentrates, fromthe fact that both the vessel and core are conical in form, and When thecore is again moved to its initial position, the channel will be againcontracted to its initial size.

The longitudinal movements ofthe core Within the vessel are accomplishedthrough longitudinally moving the shaft 36, by traveling it in thehollow shaft 8, and such movement is effected by means of a channeledcollar 45, secured thereon, best shown in enlargedV detail Fig. 7. Thecollar is gaged by a`ring part 46, having an attached dependinginternally screw threaded part 47, engaging a threaded rod 48. The rodis suitably rotatably journaled in a longitudinally fixed position, asillustrated, and carries at its opposite end a` gear Wheel 49, suitablymeshing with a gear wheel 50, which, in turn is mounted on the end of asmall rotatably journaled shaft 5l.

The shaft 5l, carries a suitable belt pulley 52, through which rotationmay be imparted, so that as the shaft 51 is revolved rotation Will betransmitted to the rod 48, through medium of the gear Wheels 49 and 50,and longitudinal movement of the shaft 36, through the parts 45, 46 and47 will be secured, resulting in longitudinal movement of the core inthe concentrating vessel as above stated, in the one direction or theother as desired, depending on which direction the pulley 52 isrevolved.

The pulley 52 is intended to be supplied with power through any of thesuitable ordinary reversible transmission devices desired, so itsdirection of rotation may be reversed at will to meet requirements inoperation of the concentrator.

Within the concentrating vessel surrounding the place or zone Where theshaft 36 enters and in its longitudinal movements travels in and out ofthe hollow shaft 8, I provide short tube parts 53 and 54, positioned andof size to relatively telescope as the core is moved longitudinally, andserve .to protect the adjacent parts of the shafts 8 and 36 fromdestructive abrasions, which are contained in the pulp being treated inthe concentrating vessel.

It will be seen that the protecting sleeve 53, is located in thedepression at that end of the core, Which position is illustrated inFigs. l and 4, the depression also serving to enable the sleeve 54 totravel and in operation telescope with the sleeve 453.

These parts are illustrated in relative op` erating position in Figs. land 6 of the drawings.

In operation, the materials or substances to be separated, `composed ofparticles of different degrees `of specific gravity, as certainmetaliferous minerals in ores tailings, and the like, in a comparativelyfine state of subdivision and are mixed with Water in suitableproportions so that the mixture will preferably be about 20 to 25percent. solids, and to 80 per cent. liquid by Weight, and which may betermed as pulp, are placed or flowed into any suitable form of agitatingreceptacle to keep them in suspended mixture While being drawn out forfeed to the concentrator. This agitating receptacle or tank ispreferably sufliciently elevated above the concentrator so that the pulpwill flow by gravity into the concentrator through the feed pipes aboveexplained.-

During concentration, the vessel is rotated at a high rate of speed todevelop the intensity of centrifugal force desired to best assist ineffecting separation of the material under treatment.

At the same time the core member is rotated at a sufficiently differentrate of speed so that the differential movement of the core with respectto the vessel will create a requisite scouring Wash in the concentratingchannel to overcome the precipitating effect of the centrifugal forcebeing developed on the particles of Waste and other substancesrelatively lighter than the concentrates, as such substances enter andpass through the separating channel, resulting in these substances beingprevented from assuming fixed lodgment, but instead, being carried onkthrough the sepaarating channel by the flow of Water, to dischargethrough the openings 22, and to final discharge through the part 25 ofthe launder.

The differential movement between the core and concentrating vessel isnot intended to be sufficiently rapid so that the resultant scrubbingWash in the separating channel will prevent lodgment of the heavierparts of the material which it is desired to retain as concentrates, butwill permit such materials to lodge and progressively bed in theseparating channel, While the relatively lighter parts are beingscrubbed and flowed through to discharge, as just above explained.

Feed of material or pulp for `separation is continued until there is a.desired quantity of concentrates bedded in the separating channel tolargely fill such channel, at which time the feed is stopped by closingthe valve 40, and the material then in transit through the separatingchannel will quickly flow on through to waste, or lodge and bed on theseparating surface.

rlhe rotating speed of the concentrating vessel is then much reduced byany approprite mechanism for the purpose, not shown, thereby very muchdiminishing the degree of centrifugal force being-developed to retainthe bedded concentrates in the vessel,

and clean water is at this time introduced into the vessel throughmedium of the pipe 42 and valve 43.

The core member is rotated at a constant rate of speed during operation,and at the time the speed of the vessel is much diminished, thedifferential moveme'nt between the two is largely augmented, resultingin a stronger scrubbing wash in the separating channel, which, under thelessened centrifugal force, quickly removes. the bedded concentrates,impelling them to discharge through openings 22, where they are caughtby the launder 23, in the same manner as the waste materials were caughtjust previously, and are discharged at the part 25, from which placethey may' be diverted by any suitable means, to a desired place ofdeposit. l

After the bedded concentrates have been discharged from the vessel inthis manner, the vessel being cleaned, the vessel is accelerated to itsprevious speed of rotation for concentration; the flow of clean water isdiscontinued by closing the valve 43, and feed of'material forconcentration is again introduced by'opening valve 40, and the operationrepeated, which may be continued in successive cycles as long asdesired.

It will be understood that at the beginning of each cycle ofconcentration the core member is in position nearest the smaller end ofthe vessel, and during that portion of the cycle in which separation andconcentration is occurring, the core is gradually moved toward thelarger end of the vessel, by the mechanism above described, so that asthe separated concentrates are progressively bedded in the separatingchannel, this channel is gradually enlarged .to permit of such bedding,until the core has reached its extreme position toward the larger end ofthe vessel.

At this time, the period of unloading the bedded concentrates commencesas above explained, and during such Yperiod the core is moved to itsinitial position toward the smaller end of the vessel, preparatory tocommencement of another cycle in operation.

What I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a centrifugal concentrator, the combination of a rotatablyjournaled hollow shaft, a horizont-ally positionedv rotatable end of theshaft and a detachable axially extended hollow cylindrical portionprovided with an internal separating 'surface` a central shaft journaledwithin lthe hollow shaft and extending into the vessel, a core memberrotatably supported within the vessel by VSaid central shaft and adaptedto be removed Vfrom its said shaft while main taining` the latter injournaled placement,

said core forming with the vessel a separating channel, means forrelatively differentially rotating the vessel and the core, means frintroducing pulp for separation into the vessel and means fordischargingthe separated pulp from'the vessel, substantially asdescribed.

3. In a centrifugal concentrator, the combination of, a rotatablyjournaled hollow shaft, a horizontally positioned rotatable separatingvessel, embodying a head portion concentrically mounted ontheoverhanging end of the hollow shaft, and a detachable axially extendedhollow cylindrical portion, provided with a separating surface, adetachable ring interposed between said head and cylindrical portion, acentral shaft journaled within the hollow shaft ofthe vessel andextending therein, a rotatable core member within the vessel mounted onthe' central shaft, adapted to be removed from said shaft whilemaintaining the shaft in journaled placement, said core forming with thevessel a separating channel, means for relatively differentiallyrotatingthe vessel and the core, means for introducing pulp forseparation into the vessel, and means for discharging the separated pulpthrough said chambered ring from the vessel, substantially as described.

4. In a centrifugal concentrator the combination of -a rotatablyjournaled hollow shaft, a horizontally positioned rotatably separatingvessel embodying a head portion concentrically mounted onthe overhangingend of the hollow shaft, a detachable internally chambered ring portionmounted on said head and a detachable axially extended hollowcylindrical portion, provided with a separating surface and with ajournal bearing at its outer end, having a feed pas sage therethrough, acentral shaft journaled in the hollow shaft of the vessel, and extendingtherein, a rotatable core member within the vessel mounted on saidcentral shaft and adapted to be removed from said shaft ico ration intothe vessel, and

while maintaining the shaft in journaled placement, said core formingwith the vessel a separating channel, means for relativelydifferentially rotating the vessel and core, means foi` introducing pulpfor sepameans for discharging the separated pulp from the vessel throughsaid ring portion, substantially as described.

5. In acentrifugal concentrator, the combination of a rotatablyjournaled hollow shaft, a horizontally positioned rotatable separatingvessel embodying a head portion concentrically mounted on theoverhanging end of the hollovw shaft and a detached cylindrical portionprovided with a separating surface, a removable internally chamberedring portion interposed between said head and the cylindrical portions'of the vessel, a central shaftjournaled in the hollow supporting shaft,a rotatable core member within the vessel mounted on the central shaft,said core forming with the vessel a separating channel, means forintroducing pulp for separation into the vessel, means for discharge ofmaterial from the vessel embodying holes for discharging separated pulpthrough the interposed ring, .means encircling the vessel in radialalinement with such discharge holes adapted to catch pulp as dischargedfrom the vessel and means for relatively differentially rotating thevessel and the core, substantially as described.

6. In a centrifugal concentrator, the combination of a horizontallypositioned rotatably journaled hollow shaft, a rotatable separatingvessel, mounted on the overhanging end of said shaft and extendedoutwardly in axial alinement with said shaft, the vessel provided with ajournal bearing attached to its outward end, having a feed openingtherethrough, a central shaft rotatably journaled within the hollowshaft of the vessel, and extending into the vessel, a core membersubstantially shorter than the internal length of the vessel providedwith a central depression at its end, and rotatably supported within thevessel by the central shaft, and longitudinally movable within thevessel through mediiun of its supporting shaft, telescoping memberspositioned within the vessel in part in said depression in the coremembers, and around the entrance of the core supporting shaft into thehollow shaft of the vessel, adapted to protect said shaft at suchentrance from damaging abrasives, said core forming with the vessel aseparating channel, means for relatively differentially rotating thevessel and core, means for longitudinally traveling said core supportingshaft, means for introducing pulp for separation into the vessel andmeans for discharging separated pulp from the vessel, substantially asdescribed.

WILBUR H. PECK.

